Rescue Cat Cafe Keyaki

保護猫カフェ けやき operates as a dedicated rescue adoption venue hidden in a quiet residential location near Kayashima Station's east exit, two minutes on foot from the station. The cafe opened in March 2018 and maintains a consistent population of 10–15 rescue cats available for adoption, sourced through partnerships with established rescue organizations including NPO地域猫管理協会, team しっぽ, and ふりにゃん. Unlike conventional cat cafes focused primarily on entertainment, けやき explicitly functions as a working adoption space where every cat on-site is seeking a permanent home. The modest yet thoughtfully designed interior features a distinctive elevated transparent walkway system that allows visitors to observe cats from below—a feature consistently highlighted in reviews as the cafe's signature attraction.

The adoption pathway reflects serious commitment to lifelong care matching. Prospective adopters must visit three times with an entry card before receiving an entry sheet and comprehension test regarding cat care. After completing documentation at home, applicants submit materials for formal review by both the cafe operators and the cats' original rescue organizations. A 30-minute to one-hour entry interview follows, during which the cafe conducts thorough vetting. Only after passing this審査 (審査 審查) do successful applicants receive a trial period (approximately two weeks), during which the cat's rescue organization directly delivers the cat to the applicant's home—visiting to verify environmental safety and appropriate setup. This intensive process aims to prevent adoptions from failing and to match cats with genuinely committed families. Minimum requirements include living in pet-friendly housing, maintaining complete indoor living, committing to lifelong care, and paying a contribution fee (¥10,000–¥35,000) covering the cats' medical expenses, vaccinations, parasite treatment, and surgery costs incurred during rescue and rehabilitation.

Pricing reflects accessibility for casual visitors while funding rescue operations: thirty-minute sessions cost ¥600, one hour ¥1,000, ninety minutes ¥1,400, and two hours ¥1,700, with all sessions including one complimentary drink. Groups visiting ninety minutes or longer receive one complimentary cat treat. Private rental for groups up to seven people costs ¥1,500–¥2,200 for thirty minutes, with a special weekday 3–6 PM promotion at ¥1,500. The staff maintain careful intake protocols: socks are required (enforced for pathogen prevention), hand sanitization is mandatory, and visitors must declare intended stay duration at entry for pre-payment. The cats themselves represent diverse rescue narratives—including abandoned street families, multi-cat hoarding situations, elderly cats from collapsed homes, and emergency rescues—with detailed background stories available in on-site files and social media. Reviews consistently note the cats' exceptional physical condition despite rescue backgrounds, with glossy coats and evidence of attentive care. The transparent elevated walkway generates particular enthusiasm, allowing unique perspectives on feline behavior throughout the space.